Ricky Dimon
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The 2019-20 NBA campaign is here, so it is not too early to start thinking about which team will lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. On the heels of a positively wild summer in terms of free agency and the draft, we should be in store for one of the most entertaining seasons in recent memory. The title appears to be more up for grabs than usual, so who will emerge from the fracas? Let’s take a look at some NBA Championship Bets you need to place.
Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers (+450)
The current trend in the NBA is dynamic duos as opposed to big threes, and the Clippers certainly have the former after landing both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George during the offseason. Leonard, of course, just led Toronto to the 2018-19 title while earning NBA Finals MVP honors. He is a proven winner, both in the regular season and the playoffs, and can dominate on both ends of the floor. George is sidelined by a shoulder injury at the moment, but it is not a long-term issue and a late start to his season may end up being a blessing in disguise by preventing wear and tear.
It should be noted that both Leonard’s former team and new team are taking the court on opening night, for which we provide our NBA expert picks.
Second choice: Philadelphia 76ers (+600)
The 76ers lost Jimmy Butler to Miami, but they signed former Boston big man Al Horford. Horford may end up being more valuable, as Philadelphia already features plenty of athletes who can get to the basket such as Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons. Horford gives the team formidable frontcourt duo along with Joel Embiid, who needs some help down low and would benefit from logging fewer minutes to preserve his health. After last year’s playoff heartbreak and with Leonard no longer on the Raptors, the 76ers are ready to take the next step.
Third choice: Milwaukee Bucks (+600)
As we saw this past season, the Eastern Conference may not be as deep but its champion will probably have a chance after the Western Conference powerhouses beat each other up en route to the NBA Finals. Toronto capitalized in 2018-19, and it could be Milwaukee’s turn this time around after narrowly missing an opportunity last season. The Bucks led the Raptors 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals before folding. Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is only getting better and his supporting cast can shoot the lights out (see Khris Middleton and Kyle Korver).
Longshot: Boston Celtics (+2000)
The Celtics are not among the favorites after underwhelming in 2018-19 and losing Kyrie Irving to free agency. Nonetheless, their roster remains loaded. Newcomer Kemba Walker joins Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Enes Kanter, among others. The East remains open, and—as mentioned above—anything can happen in the finals.
